The operation of a compact camera should first and foremost be simple. As a user, you should be able to start photographing right away, without having to reach for the manual. In short; the Canon PowerShot A2100IS offers just that! The convenient green button is available; just activate the camera, point and shoot, and that's it. Luckily, the Canon A2100 IS camera has more to offer, even for the genuine amateur photographer.

Canon PowerShot A2100 IS fully automatic camera
Although the Canon PowerShot A2100IS is a fully automatic camera, the operation is far from limited. The enhanced automation provides many handy functions that up until recently were only available to the advanced photographer. What to think, for example, of face detection providing not only optimal focus of the face, but also adjusting exposure, flash settings and white balance to obtain the most natural skin tones. Thus providing a result that is not so easy to reach for someone carrying out the same settings manually.

Face detection on the Canon PowerShot A2100 IS
Ease is the number one focus of the Canon A2100 IS, but the fact this comes at the cost of the actual manual operation is a pity. That is; for the hobby photographer looking for a second camera, while it is undoubtedly superb for the target group the Canon PowerShot A2100 IS aims at. Face detection has been around for a while now, and has become quite common on compact cameras. Even in this time and age, however, there are still differences to be found. For example; the PowerShot A2100 IS enables selecting a face and tracking it whilst focusing. When working with action photography in practice, it does however not always work flawlessly, for example, when many people walk to and fro by themselves. Yet it is still a convenient function that will probably be enhanced for the next generation.

Canon PowerShot A2100IS offers a FaceSelf timer
FotoNation is a company which demonstrated various functions, among which the earlier mentioned face detection, during PMA 2009 in Las Vegas. These functions can be implemented in products like cameras through hardware or software. Companies like Canon and Nikon purchase these products from companies like FotoNation under different names. A function at which the self-timer plays a role was also demonstrated. No more running like hell to find a good spot within the group of people that you are trying to capture within 15 seconds before the camera will make the picture. It is only when the camera actually detects an extra face that it will take the picture. And surprisingly, the Canon PowerShot A2100 IS has this feature onboard under the name of: FaceSelf timer…

Canon PowerShot A2100 IS camera operation
Not only does the Canon A2100IS feature many handy functions and an easy operation, it is also fast to operate. It takes about one second after activating the camera that it is ready to take its first picture. Zooming from wide angle to telephoto (6x) takes just over a second and you can decide your composition fairly accurately in fourteen stops. The camera's menu has a fine structure and is easy to navigate through the multicontroller. The handy FUNC button on the back provides direct access to functions such as ISO, white balance, exposure, resolution etc. This is the result of a few generations of Canon cameras, delivering a well thought-through and easy to operate compact camera.